variants
or counter-attacks
as in attacks
an attack made to counter an enemy's attack
suddenly the tide of battle turned, and the rebels, who had been falling back, made a furious counterattack
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of counterattacks
Whatever chemistry is required for incredible players to band together existed immediately, and the remaining outfield players worked hard to support them, defend and create chances to put the ball in behind opponents on counterattacks.
—
Josh Gross, Daily News, 17 Feb. 2026
The Mexican team had no interest in trying to match SDFC’s ball-control game, nor did its counterattacks pose many challenges.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Tight baseline battles, pressure from Shelton and counterattacks from Ruud, using the violent topspin of those big looping forehands.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
For the period, Newport Harbor tallied two goals on penalty shots, two off counterattacks, one with the extra attacker and another on a perimeter shot.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 25 Jan. 2026
Syrskyi said Ukraine is conducting a strategic defensive operation designed to contain Russian advances, inflict heavy losses, and launch counterattacks where vulnerabilities appear.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
Arkansas had done well to prevent Washington from breaking out on counterattacks throughout the match.
—Anthony Kristensen, Arkansas Online, 21 Nov. 2025
The French emperor was forced to retreat amid the harsh Russian winter, dwindling supplies and fierce counterattacks.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 15 Nov. 2025
Ukrainians outnumbered, under fire Ukraine in recent days has launched counterattacks to push Russian forces back from the northern edge of Pokrovsk and keep a road there open to Myrnohrad.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2025
Josh Gross, Daily News, 17 Feb. 2026
The Mexican team had no interest in trying to match SDFC’s ball-control game, nor did its counterattacks pose many challenges.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Tight baseline battles, pressure from Shelton and counterattacks from Ruud, using the violent topspin of those big looping forehands.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
For the period, Newport Harbor tallied two goals on penalty shots, two off counterattacks, one with the extra attacker and another on a perimeter shot.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 25 Jan. 2026
Syrskyi said Ukraine is conducting a strategic defensive operation designed to contain Russian advances, inflict heavy losses, and launch counterattacks where vulnerabilities appear.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
Arkansas had done well to prevent Washington from breaking out on counterattacks throughout the match.
—Anthony Kristensen, Arkansas Online, 21 Nov. 2025
The French emperor was forced to retreat amid the harsh Russian winter, dwindling supplies and fierce counterattacks.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 15 Nov. 2025
Ukrainians outnumbered, under fire Ukraine in recent days has launched counterattacks to push Russian forces back from the northern edge of Pokrovsk and keep a road there open to Myrnohrad.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterattacks
Noun
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Israel’s government has repeatedly criticized its counterpart in Australia for failing to address antisemitic attacks in the country.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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At least 77 people were killed in various attacks in Kordofan due to drone warfare in February.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Shyriaiev is holed up in Sumy, a strategically important oblast that borders Russia, and has been the centerpiece of Ukrainian counteroffensives this fall.—
Chris Massaro,
FOXNews.com,
17 Nov. 2025
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Then, Ukraine reclaimed significant ground in Kharkiv and Kherson oblasts during counteroffensives.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Mejia has four prior arrests, including assaults in 2019 and 2022, and a DUI in 2020, cops said.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
13 Feb. 2026
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Police are investigating a string of violent late-night robberies in the Bella Vista and Hawthorne neighborhoods of South Philadelphia, after five assaults over the past month left some victims injured.—
Ross DiMattei,
CBS News,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Wednesday’s ballistic missile launches by North Korea were the first of their kind since the country on May 8 tested short-range systems that simulated nuclear counterstrikes against US and South Korean forces.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterattacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterattacks. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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